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With his playoff scoring spree, the Blackhawks forward has assured himself of being not only a major story of the post-season but of the rapidly approaching off-season as well.

If it weren't for teammate Patrick Kane's tap-in of a goal -- it would have been Bickell's -- Thursday, the 6-foot-4, 233-pound forward would have had a share of the post-season goal-scoring lead, with nine.

As it was, he added his eighth of the playoffs to make him arguably the top surprise performer so far.

High among the reasons for his emergence as a scoring threat is that Bickell has made a concerted effort to develop some hands to go along with the imposing presence he provides in front of the opposition net. He also took the advice of teammates Jonathan Toews and Marion Hossa, who implored him not to be so hasty to get rid of the puck.

"I know Hossa and Toews emphasize holding onto the puck and not just throwing it away when you are pressed," Bickell said. "Use your size. Hossa is probably the best guy in the league at protecting the puck. Just to look at him, it gives me confidence to do it, too."

That confidence will soon lead to some serious cash.

As an unrestricted free agent, Bickell will be among the biggest names as the July 5 free-agent frenzy approaches.

Bickell, who at a salary of $600,000 is one of the lowest-paid forwards still in the playoffs, will likely be worth at least four times that much when the ink dries on whatever new deal he decides on.

SPEED IT UP

The late June end to the playoffs could get a slight reprieve if the Hawks and Bruins are able to finish off their series by the end of the weekend.

The NHL has indicated that if both series end in five games or less, the Stanley Cup final would begin Wednesday in the Windy City. If either series goes beyond five games, the final will begin on Saturday.

A slight break would be welcomed by many around the league, given that the NHL entry draft is scheduled for June 30 in New Jersey.

SORE POINTS

How much do the Kings miss concussed centre Mike Richards, who has been sidelined for the past three games? "He was the (team's) leading scorer at the time of his injury," Kings coach Darryl Sutter said. "Obviously that impacts us a lot." ... More evidence the Kings are running on fumes: They managed just two shots on net in the third period of Game 4, despite the desperation of their situation and a home crowd to fuel them. Even worse, they had twice as many giveaways in the period as shots ... There is plenty of speculation that a number of top Kings are wounded and that there will be a lengthy queue to the surgeon's table once they are eliminated ... Think the Hawks missed Duncan Keith during his one-game suspension? His replacement in the lineup, Sheldon Brookbank, was minus-2 in the dozen shifts he played. On the other hand, Michal Rozsival saw 10 minutes more than he did in Game 3 and had a strong outing. "He was like an old pro out there and did what he had to do," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said Friday after the team landed here ... More damning stats for the Kings: Anze Kopitar had just one shot on net in Game 4 while captain Dustin Brown had an egg beside his name on the stats sheet.

QUICK HITS

Struggling Kane may have finally ended a seven-game goal-less drought when he stole one from Bickell Thursday, but he's hardly been a threat in the post-season the past few years. Since he scored the Cup winner for the Hawks two years ago, Kane has just four goals in 29 post-season games ... Good line from Kane on his goal: "I told Bicks I was sorry I stole it from him. But when you see the puck there it's instinctive to stick your stick in and touch it." ... And this from Brent Seabrook on Bickell: "He's got a great shot and probably the best thing, he's hitting the net now." ... As expected, Kings forward Dustin Penner won't be suspended for his hit to the head on Hawks forward David Bolland. Straight from the NHL player safety twitter account: "A reflex forearm prior to a collision. Not predatory of retaliatory. No suspension." ... Of course the league would have looked silly if Penner was suspended when Bolland never faced a hearing for his Game 1 hit on Richards ... When Hossa finds the back of the net, it tends to have an impact. Of his seven goals these playoffs, six have given his team a lead. The one-time rocket that stood as the Game 4 winner showed how dangerous he can be.

Blackhawks' Bryan Bickell ready to cash in as free agent

With his playoff scoring spree, the Blackhawks forward has assured himself of being not only a major story of the post-season but of the rapidly approaching off-season as well.

If it weren't for teammate Patrick Kane's tap-in of a goal -- it would have been Bickell's -- Thursday, the 6-foot-4, 233-pound forward would have had a share of the post-season goal-scoring lead, with nine.

As it was, he added his eighth of the playoffs to make him arguably the top surprise performer so far.

High among the reasons for his emergence as a scoring threat is that Bickell has made a concerted effort to develop some hands to go along with the imposing presence he provides in front of the opposition net. He also took the advice of teammates Jonathan Toews and Marion Hossa, who implored him not to be so hasty to get rid of the puck.

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